“With the wind direction constantly changing, it would have spread quite quickly.

“If there had been any kids in the field ,it would have easily trapped them.”

It is the first fire of this size the crews have dealt with since the start of the summer holidays, and firefighters are urging youngsters to think about the dangers they are putting themselves or others in by setting grass ablaze.

Watch manager Bewick added: “This is the first major field fire we have had since the school holidays started. We can’t say it enough, just how dangerous setting grass alight can be.”

The fire is said to have covered an area of 200-300 square metres.

No one is believed to have been injured in the blaze, which is believed to have been started deliberately.